More 2012: McDonnell's retreat

CALIFORNIA: A Field poll has Romney leading Santorum 31%-25%, with Ron Paul at 16%, Gingrich 12%.

MICHIGAN: “The campaign advertisement featuring a drowning man appeared during the first commercial break of the local evening newscast on Detroit’s Fox affiliate. He drowned again during the third break, after the sports scores,” Bloomberg writes. “That Mitt Romney campaign ad aimed at rival Rick Santorum is one of many running on Michigan’s airwaves before the Feb. 28 Republican presidential primary. There’s so much advertising by Romney, Santorum and their allies that some spots are running twice during a single 30-minute television newscast.”

NEW YORK: “All the allegations [against Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY)] may eventually make for a one-term Congressman. But,” Roll Call notes, “right now, the only Democrat in the race is Mark Murphy, a former aide to the New York City public advocate. He is not seen by Democrats as a strong candidate.”

VIRGINIA:Richmond Times-Dispatch headline: “Pressured by McDonnell, House passes weakened ultrasound bill.” From the story: “McDonnell, an abortion opponent who is widely considered a GOP vice presidential contender, made public Wednesday his disapproval of the measure — for which he had previously signaled support. The governor said in a statement that ‘mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state.’ He added: ‘No person should be directed to undergo an invasive procedure by the state, without their consent, as a precondition to another medical procedure.’”